Following Hinata's apparent death in the previous episode, Confession , Naruto loses control, manifesting the Six-Tails.
To contain the Nine-Tails' power, Pain uses his strongest technique, Chibaku Tensei (Planetary Devastation), creating a massive sphere of rock in the sky to trap Naruto.
The episode featured several legendary animators. Shingo Yamashita handled the first 100 cuts alone (roughly the first seven minutes), while the final two-thirds were animated by Norio Matsumoto , known for his "bombastic action sequences". Naruto Shippuden Episode 167
While some fans criticized the "Looney Tunes" or "goofy" look of certain frames—such as Pain's face being distorted by wind pressure—many animation enthusiasts now view it as a masterpiece of fluid movement and experimental character acting. Cultural Impact
As Naruto's rage reaches its limit, the seal nearly breaks, leading to a fateful meeting with the spirit of the Fourth Hokage within Naruto's subconscious. Production and Animation Style Following Hinata's apparent death in the previous episode,
The episode originally aired in mid-2010 and remains a frequent topic of debate on platforms like Reddit and YouTube regarding whether "style over substance" was the right choice for such a serious moment.
The team utilized "smear frames" and exaggerated physics to convey the raw, god-like power of the combatants. Shingo Yamashita handled the first 100 cuts alone
Specific frames, like Pain's distorted face while being hit, became legendary memes within the anime community.